USMCMom
 
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Date: 5/10/12 9:26 PM I've just cut out the above dress pattern and noticed these directions printed on the pattern pieces: "When cutting or tracing pattern pieces, always follow the same size on all lines and pieces. Never cut between sizes or "blend" sizes by cutting from one size to another". You're directed to the KwikSew website to get their alteration directions and although I'm sure they would work, they're different from the techniques I've learned here and in FFRP, etc. Also, doesn't look as if their bust alteration method would accomodate me. Just mastered the conventional FBA! Now it looks as though I have to start again for this pattern. Or maybe not?? Does anyone know why KS advises against "blending"? Their directions are usually so good that I hesitate to tinker with them. This dress has a loose fitting bodice, so maybe I don't need to worry so much??? Just wondered what everyone else's experience with altering KS patterns has been. |
corinne kelly
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Date: 5/10/12 11:14 PM I've always just altered them the same way as any other pattern. For me the kwiksew shoulders are much too wide and so I do a big narrow shoulder alteration on the bodice that will fit me. I'm sure someone else will pipe in that does something different. It's your pattern now so do what works. ------
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Jacqui315
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Date: 5/10/12 11:15 PM I've blended sizes for my daughter's leotards and bathing suits in Kwik Sews with no problem but it was only tracing between two sizes not combining different sizes for different areas. I'm curious why they put that especially for a dress that's loose fitting. ------
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Sew4Fun
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Date: 5/10/12 11:24 PM Quote:
Does anyone know why KS advises against "blending"?
Maybe so they don't get blamed when it doesn't work.  Like "dry clean only" fabric which is perfectly fine to wash, as long as you know what you are doing.
And I think this is the key. When blending sizes you do need to have some undersanding of what you are doing because it isn't always as straight forward as it seems.
I've noticed with a couple of Kwik Sew patterns I've used, the way the sizes are nested on ther paper you can't blend from one size to other. You need to trace one size, move your tracing paper then blend to another size. Not everyone may realise this and hence the warning from Kwik Sew. Blend at your own risk.  ------
Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
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Patti B
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Date: 5/10/12 11:29 PM I emailed KS about this pattern advice and their response was basically that they are saving us from ourselves. They said that the size lines aren't necessarily in the same order from piece to piece in a pattern and they were concerned that people would automatically trace the same line on each piece without noticing that it wasn't the size they wanted. F'rinstance, if size M was the second line from the inside out, it might not be in the same order on another piece. (hope that makes sense). I've always blended their lines if I thought I needed to. So far the sky hasn't fallen!
ETA Belinda's last paragraph is what KS said and she stated it far more clearly than I did.
-- Edited on 5/10/12 11:30 PM -- ------
Patti
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Sherril Miller
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1 member likes this. Blend away. Especially to cut those shoulders down. They are always way too wide. ------
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Padmé
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Date: 5/11/12 7:35 AM Can you go into more detail on this? I go from a small to a medium at my hips and sometimes my blending is not so smooth. |
USMCMom
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Date: 5/11/12 11:39 AM Thanks, everyone! I guess I was just obsessing! KS does have detailed instructions about how to select your size and make needed alterations, but, as I said, it differs from what I'm used to doing, and I don't want to reinvent the wheel! But there are some things that don't add up for me. Maybe because I'm more used to the Big 4! Since my upper bust is 38 and full bust is 44, I'm a charter member of the BOBDC (Big Old Bust Dart Club). I've gotten used to picking tops and dresses by the upper bust size and doing an FBA. KS's advice is to go with the larger size and make alterations. But they also do not account for anything bigger than a D cup. So, I'm going with my tried and true FRRP FBA, but hoping I won't need it because this has so much ease.
But speaking of ease, KS's website says finished size garment measurements are printed on the pattern, but it ain't so. At least for this dress. So I'm guessing about ease. 3 or 4 inches for I've only ever made 2 other KS patterns, the panties 2908 and a loose fitting jacket. And I'm pretty sure I morphed and blended and added and subtracted, etc. Don't recall off hand if the same "no blending" warning was printed on those.
Also, KS says they draft for a woman 5'6". I'm 5 ft. tall, so I'm used to having to whack off a lot of length. But I'm trying to be very by the book here, so I cut along the shorten/lengthen line and measured how much I'd need to remove and, sure enough, if I did the alteration as directed, there's no way the side seams would true up. I'm making the longer version and noticed that the length I need is only a little bit longer than the short version (if I'm making any sense... ) So I'm thinking it might be better to add what I need to the short length rather than make such a big alteration to the long one? And this is supposed to be an easy dress!! |
Carol Mendoza
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In reply to corinne kelly << 1 member likes this.
Date: 5/11/12 1:14 PM So glad to hear someone else say this about the shoulder widths on KS. I had to cut a small at the shoulder width on the last KS pattern plus cut 1 1/2 inches from the top of the shoulder so that it would fit. I thought it was just me and my shoulders!!  ------
Bernina 730E; 440QE; Vintage 121; Babylock Imagine; Janome 900 Coverstitch
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USMCMom
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Date: 5/11/12 9:16 PM I guess because of the style of this dress, sort of dolman/kimono sleeve thing going on, the shoulder width hasn't been an issue. Or maybe all along I've had shoulders like a linebacker and everyone's been too polite to mention it
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